UPSC IES / ISS 2026 Interview Schedule: Personality Tests from 2 November — Latest Update
UPSC has released its notice dated 15 October 2026 for the Personality Tests (Interviews) of the Indian Economic Service / Indian Statistical Service Examination 2026. The tests are based on the written results the Commission declared on 4 August 2026, and they start on Monday, 2 November 2026 and run through 5 November 2026. Each day has a forenoon session at 0900 hrs and an afternoon session at 1300 hrs.
This round is for shortlisted candidates only: 40 candidates are called for IES (16 vacancies notified) and 94 for ISS (28 vacancies notified). The IES and ISS schedules are separate PDFs and list roll numbers, not names, so open the PDF for your own service and find your roll number.
UPSC IES / ISS 2026 Personality Test Schedule at a Glance
| Date | IES candidates called | ISS candidates called |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, 2 November 2026 | 11 | 22 |
| Tuesday, 3 November 2026 | 12 | 24 |
| Wednesday, 4 November 2026 | 12 | 24 |
| Thursday, 5 November 2026 | 5 (forenoon only) | 24 |
| Total | 40 | 94 |
Your exact day and session (0900 hrs or 1300 hrs) are printed against your roll number in the PDF for your service.
What to Do Next
- e-Summon Letter: The Commission says e-Summon Letters will be made available shortly, to be downloaded from its website, upsconline.nic.in. No release date is printed, so keep checking the portal.
- Change of date or time: Requests to change the date and time of the Personality Test will ordinarily not be entertained.
- Travel reimbursement: Candidates appearing for the Interview get travelling expenses restricted to Second/Sleeper class train fare (Mail Express). Journeys by any other mode or class are dealt with as per S.R.-132 and the Commission’s guidelines, and the Travelling Allowance Form for Candidates is on the Commission’s forms and downloads page.
- Venue and documents: The schedule notice does not print the venue or a list of documents to bring, so rely on your e-Summon Letter and the Commission’s website for these. The original notification also states that admission is provisional and that eligibility is checked against original documents after a candidate qualifies for the Personality Test.
Essential Links for UPSC IES / ISS 2026 Interview Schedule
- Interview Schedule IES 2026: Interview Schedule IES 2026 (PDF, 2 pages)
- Interview Schedule ISS 2026: Interview Schedule ISS 2026 (PDF, 4 pages)
- Official Notice Page: Official Notification Page for UPSC IES/ISS Interview Schedule 2026
- e-Summon Letter Download: UPSC Online Portal (upsconline.nic.in)
Step into a Bright Career with UPSC IES / ISS 2026 Recruitment
Are you an Economics or Statistics graduate dreaming of a high-status career in the Central Government? The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the highly anticipated UPSC IES / ISS 2026 Recruitment notification. This is a golden chance to secure a prestigious Class-I Gazetted Officer position as an Indian Economic Service (IES) or Indian Statistical Service (ISS) officer. Working under the Government of India not only brings immense respect in society but also offers a highly lucrative salary, top-notch perks, and unmatched job security.
The official notification announces a total of 44 vacancies to be filled through a nationwide competitive examination. If you have a passion for data, policy-making, economics, or statistics, this recruitment drive is exactly what you need to aim for. The application window closed on 03 March 2026 (till 18:00 hours) and the written examination is over; the Personality Test stage has now been scheduled. In this guide, we have explained everything in simple language—from the vacancy breakdown and eligibility criteria to the exam pattern and the application process followed this year.
Key Highlights of UPSC IES & ISS Exam 2026
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Indian Economic Service and Indian Statistical Service examination annually. These officers play a crucial role in economic planning, analysis, and statistical data management for the nation. This year’s recruitment promises a fair, transparent, and strictly merit-based selection process.
Here is a quick glance at the essential details of this Government Jobs 2026 recruitment:
- Organization Name: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Exam Name: Indian Economic Service (IES) / Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Examination 2026
- Total Vacancies: 44 Posts
- Post Level: Junior Time Scale (Group A Gazetted Officer)
- Job Location: All Over India
- Selection Process: Written Examination & Personality Test (Interview)
- Application Starting Date: 11 February 2026
- Application Closing Date: 03 March 2026
UPSC IES / ISS Vacancy 2026 Breakdown
UPSC has released a distinct number of vacancies for both services. Category-wise reservations will be applicable as per the rules of the Government of India. Below is the detailed breakdown of the total vacancies:
| Service Name | Tentative Vacancies | Reserved for PwBD |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Economic Service (IES) | 16 Posts | 01 Post |
| Indian Statistical Service (ISS) | 28 Posts | 02 Posts |
| Total Combined Vacancies | 44 Posts | 03 Posts |
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC IES & ISS Jobs 2026
Every candidate must meet the strict eligibility parameters set by the UPSC. All qualifications and age limits will be calculated strictly as per the official cut-off dates.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold the prescribed degree from a recognized University or Institution.
- For Indian Economic Service (IES): You must have a Post-Graduate Degree (Master’s Degree) in Economics / Applied Economics / Business Economics / Econometrics.
- For Indian Statistical Service (ISS): You must possess a Bachelor’s Degree with Statistics / Mathematical Statistics / Applied Statistics as one of your core subjects, OR a Master’s degree in Statistics / Mathematical Statistics / Applied Statistics.
- Note: Candidates appearing for their final year examinations are also eligible to apply, provided they can produce proof of passing the qualifying exam before the Personality Test phase.
Age Limit Requirements
- Minimum Age: 21 Years
- Maximum Age: 30 Years (As on 1st August 2026)
- Candidates must have been born not earlier than 2nd August 1996 and not later than 1st August 2005.
Age Relaxation Rules:
- SC / ST Category Candidates: 5 Years upper age relaxation
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Candidates: 3 Years upper age relaxation
- Ex-Servicemen: Up to 5 Years upper age relaxation
- PwBD Candidates: 10 Years upper age relaxation
UPSC IES / ISS Salary and Benefits Explained
Landing a job through the UPSC IES / ISS 2026 Recruitment means you enter the highly coveted Junior Time Scale (Group ‘A’ Gazetted) of the Central Government. The financial benefits and job security associated with this role make it one of the most sought-after government jobs for graduates.
The salary is based on the 7th Pay Commission matrix at Pay Level 10. Your starting Basic Pay will be ₹56,100 per month. However, this is just the basic pay. When you factor in the allowances, your gross monthly in-hand salary becomes extremely attractive (typically ranging between ₹90,000 to ₹1,00,000+ depending on the city):
- Dearness Allowance (DA): To beat inflation, a significant percentage of your basic pay is given as DA, which gets revised twice a year.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): Depending on your city of posting (X, Y, or Z class cities), you receive generous HRA if government accommodation is not provided to you.
- Transport Allowance (TA): Fixed allowance provided to cover your daily commuting expenses to the office.
- Other Elite Perks: Comprehensive medical cover under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Leave Travel Concession (LTC) to travel across India with family, paid maternal/paternal leaves, and a secure retirement corpus through the National Pension System (NPS).
Selection Process & Exam Pattern Details
The UPSC ensures a rigorous selection process to pick the best minds for the nation’s economic and statistical planning. The examination consists of two main stages. For candidates looking for the UPSC IES ISS Syllabus PDF, the examination tests deep subject knowledge.
Tier 1: Written Examination (1000 Marks)
The written exam pattern differs slightly for IES and ISS candidates. All papers must be answered in English.
For Indian Economic Service (IES):
- General English: 100 Marks (3 Hours) – Subjective
- General Studies: 100 Marks (3 Hours) – Subjective
- General Economics-I: 200 Marks (3 Hours) – Subjective
- General Economics-II: 200 Marks (3 Hours) – Subjective
- General Economics-III: 200 Marks (3 Hours) – Subjective
- Indian Economics: 200 Marks (3 Hours) – Subjective
For Indian Statistical Service (ISS):
- General English: 100 Marks (3 Hours) – Subjective
- General Studies: 100 Marks (3 Hours) – Subjective
- Statistics-I (Objective): 200 Marks (2 Hours) – MCQ based
- Statistics-II (Objective): 200 Marks (2 Hours) – MCQ based
- Statistics-III (Descriptive): 200 Marks (3 Hours) – Subjective
- Statistics-IV (Descriptive): 200 Marks (3 Hours) – Subjective
Negative Marking Rule: In the Objective Type papers for ISS, there is a penalty for wrong answers. 1/3rd (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every incorrect response.
Tier 2: Personality Test / Interview (200 Marks)
Candidates who clear the written exam cut-off are called for the Viva-voce (Interview). The interview assesses the candidate’s intellectual curiosity, critical powers of assimilation, balance of judgment, alertness of mind, social cohesion, and capacity for leadership.
How to Apply Online: Step-by-Step Guide
The UPSC application process is done entirely online. Ensure you have your Aadhaar Card (or other Photo ID), scanned passport-size photograph, and scanned signature ready before you start the process.
- One Time Registration (OTR): Visit the official UPSC online portal. If you haven’t registered on the OTR platform yet, do so first. It’s a mandatory, one-time process.
- Login & Apply: Use your OTR ID to log in and look for the ‘Indian Economic Service / Indian Statistical Service Examination 2026’ link under active examinations.
- Fill the Form: Complete the Common Application Form (CAF) with your personal, educational, and communication details.
- Live Photo Capture: The portal now requires a live photo capture via your webcam or mobile camera, along with uploading a scanned photo and signature.
- Fee Payment: Pay the required application fee using Net Banking, UPI, or Credit/Debit Cards.
- Final Submission: Double-check all details carefully, as no corrections are allowed after submission. Submit the form and print a copy for your future reference.
UPSC IES / ISS 2026 Important Dates
Here is the schedule of the recruitment so far:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Date | 11 February 2026 |
| Starting Date for Online Application | 11 February 2026 |
| Last Date for Application Submission | 03 March 2026 (Till 18:00 Hrs) |
| Date of Written Examination | Commencing from 19 June 2026 |
Category-wise Application Fees
The application fee for the UPSC exams is kept extremely minimal to encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
| Candidate Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹ 200/- |
| All Female Candidates | Nil (Exempted) |
| SC / ST / PwBD | Nil (Exempted) |
Essential Links for UPSC IES / ISS 2026 Recruitment
Always rely on official sources for authentic information. Use the direct links below to navigate your recruitment journey smoothly.
- Apply Online: Application window closed on 03 March 2026
- Download Official Notification: UPSC IES / ISS 2026 Syllabus PDF & Notification
- UPSC Official Portal: Visit Now
- Join for Daily Updates: WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Study Material & Alerts: Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
- Delhi Govt Jobs Alert: Delhi Govt Jobs Vacancy Alert
Working as an IES or ISS officer is one of the most respected career paths in the Indian administrative system. If you have been called for the Personality Test, prepare well, keep your e-Summon Letter and original documents ready, and follow the Commission’s website for updates. Wishing you the best of luck for your UPSC journey!